access vs filemaker

[Albert Bricker]

I am tech support for a non-profit firm. They are currently using FileMaker
Pro (of questionable heritage I might add - they don't have any discs for
this anywhere). I am getting them legit on their software etc.

Now they are also realizing that they have several differing databases
maintained on individual PC's and they are in need of being able to share
these. (Not to mention backups.)

I believe most of their databases are fairly simple, ranging from lists of
students for classes and payments made etc to contact lists.

The executive director is thinking he needs filemaker pro server and then
the workstation copies. We are unable to get these at any type of non-profit
discount price. However, we are able to obtain access and SQL with donation
from Microsoft. I need to how well or even if a filemaker database will
convert to access. I am then thinking these databases they use could be
housed on the server and simply shared by the few people that use them. (one
to three at a time)

Am I way off base here? Any pointers to resources on converting filemaker
to access?

Thanks,
Albert

 

[storrboy]

I am tech support for a non-profit firm. They are currently using FileMaker
Pro (of questionable heritage I might add - they don't have any discs for
this anywhere). I am getting them legit on their software etc.

Now they are also realizing that they have several differing databases
maintained on individual PC's and they are in need of being able to share
these. (Not to mention backups.)

I believe most of their databases are fairly simple, ranging from lists of
students for classes and payments made etc to contact lists.

The executive director is thinking he needs filemaker pro server and then
the workstation copies. We are unable to get these at any type of non-profit
discount price. However, we are able to obtain access and SQL with donation
from Microsoft. I need to how well or even if a filemaker database will
convert to access. I am then thinking these databases they use could be
housed on the server and simply shared by the few people that use them. (one
to three at a time)

Am I way off base here? Any pointers to resources on converting filemaker
to access?

Thanks,
Albert

Most databases I've encountered allow for the export of data in a csv
format. This is likely the most effective method as many programs
treat data differently and quite often there are mix-ups or erroneous
conversions when using a 'conversion utility' (even between Excel and
Access it can be annoying).

As for connecting multiple users, Access can handle that on it's own,
but if you're getting SQL server at a good price, it may be beneficial
to at least have that avaible.

 

[Nola]

I just went from FileMaker Pro to Access 2003 and all I did was save the FM
Pro as an HTML file and import into Access. Good luck!

 

[John W. Vinson/MVP]

I am tech support for a non-profit firm. They are currently using
FileMaker
Pro (of questionable heritage I might add - they don't have any discs for
this anywhere). I am getting them legit on their software etc.
Am I way off base here? Any pointers to resources on converting filemaker
to access?

It is quite easy to import the DATA from FMP into an Access table. However,
if anyone has set up a Filemaker Form, you'll need to recreate it from
scratch in Access (as a Form for onscreen use or a Report for printing, or
both); the two programs have very different user interface models.

It may also be necessary to restructure your tables for optimal use. FMP
allows calculated fields (which should be done in Queries not tables in
Access), and is less fully relational than Access.

It's not necessary to use SQL/Server for multiuser Access; it's fully
multiuser out of the box. You can use SQL if you wish though it can be a
fair bit more work to take advantage of the full power of SQL.

John W. Vinson

 

[Larry Kahm]

I don't understand this statement: "We are unable to get these at any type
of non-profit
discount price. "

That really doesn't make much sense. Did you look here?
http://www.filemaker.com/purchase/store/np.html

Even if you don't need 10 copies, you'd still manage to have a 45% discount
and legitimate versions.

Larry Kahm
Heliotropic Systems, Inc.